Reasons Why Your Breath Smells Bad
Bad breath is one of the leading dental problems in the world. Approximately one in four people struggle with overcoming bad breath globally.
You may think it’s harmless, but it affects your hygiene, relationships, and even your confidence. It’s likely you won’t have the self-esteem to socialize and talk to people when you’re constantly concerned about your bad breath.
If you struggle with this, you must visit your dentist regularly, ideally every six months. With this being said, here are some of the reasons why your breath may smell bad.
1. There is bacteria in your mouth
The most common reason behind bad breath is the bacteria in your mouth. Bad breath occurs because the bacteria in your mouth break down the food particles in your teeth, gums, and tongue.
This then releases odorous compounds that can trigger bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis. While it’s often temporary, this is caused by poor hygiene habits like infrequent brushing and not flossing.
2. You ate smelly food
The food you eat has a significant factor in bad breath. Garlic and onions are among two of the most culprits for bad breath.
This could also include other spices, radishes, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. While bad breath caused by this reason is temporary, it can reoccur.
Also, bad breath caused by smelly food can be caused by issues in your gastrointestinal tract. If this is the case, it’s best to consult a doctor to tackle the medical problem at hand.
3. You haven’t eaten all day
You may think you’re doing your body and weight a favor by skipping meals, but the opposite is true for your breath. When you skip meals or don’t eat for a prolonged period, your mouth doesn’t produce as much saliva.
Since your saliva is responsible both for cleaning up food particles and breaking down food, it can trigger your bad breath. So take it from us that it’s not recommended to skip meals.
If you are trying to fix your diet, your personal trainer may suggest a better plan that aligns with your lifestyle.
4. You smoke
Smoking is the one habit you can have that causes bad breath and stains your teeth. Smoking destroys your dental health, and it certainly isn’t doing any favors in your breath.
This is where the term “smoker’s breath” comes from. Smoking leaves a chemical compound in your mouth from the nicotine, and other toxins mix with your saliva.
Even when you’ve quit smoking, it can take some time to get rid of the smoker’s breath because cilia take anywhere between one to nine months to repair themselves. Cilia protect your airways by sweeping away dust in keeping your lungs clear.
If this is destroyed, this negatively impacts an essential part of your respiratory system. When there are issues with your respiratory system like bronchitis and pneumonia, this may lead to bad breath.
5. You have orthodontic products
There are instances when you have products like dental braces or implants. You’re prone to get bad breath not because of these products but because of an infection and remaining food.
For those with braces, it’s easier to get bad breath since tiny food particles can get stuck underneath the wires and brackets. On the other hand, dental implants can cause bad breath if you smoke tobacco, have an improper hygiene routine, have a compromised immune system, and several other factors.
With all the reasons above, it’s crucial that you regularly take advantage of dental services. This should be part of your self-care routine or something you treat yourself with on your next payday.
Remember that hygiene isn’t just about cleaning your body, but this also goes for your dental health.